 Helena
National Forest
On July 19, 1805, the Lewis and Clark Expedition pushed their way
up the strong current of the Missouri River and entered an awe-inspiring
canyon with limestone walls 1,200 feet high. Lewis remarked these
"are the most remarkable clifts that we have yet seen." The
exhausted travelers were forced to row past dark until they could
find a place large enough to pull ashore and camp. That night in
his journal, Lewis wrote, "from the singular appearance of this
place I called it the gates of the rocky mountains."
Today
Take Exit 209 on Interstate 15, approximately 20 miles north of
Helena, Montana, and follow the signs to the boat dock. The "Gates
of the Mountains" Lewis described can only be accessed by boat,
either private or commercial. Commerical tours are offered late
spring through late summer.
Location
Take Interstate 15 approximately 20 miles north of Helena, Montana
to Exit 209 and follow the signs. The Gates of the Mountains can
only be accessed by boat, either private or commercial.
Facilities
Gates of the Mountains
Boat Club
(406) 449-5490 |
Scenic Boat Tours, Interpretive Displays, Food and Beverages.
Commercial Tours operate Memorial Day to late September.
$5 fee for Boat Launch. |
Meriwether Picnic Site
On the Missouri River
4 mi. north of boat club. |
Restrooms, Water, Picnic Tables, Individual docks, Hiking
Trails
Interpretive displays.
Day Use Only. |
Coulter Campground
1 mile south Meriwether
Picnic Site |
7 Campsites, Water, Restrooms.
Site can only be accessed by boat.
No Charge. |
Use Requirements or Restrictions:
 |
Access to the Gates of the Mountains area
through the Boat Club is commercially regulated. |
|
The Boat Club maintains a dock at the Meriwether
Picnic Site through a special use permit authorized by the
Helena National Forest. |
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